1263 Great Feast of Qom

The 1263 Great Feast of Qom was a great feast held by Khagan Hulegu Khan of the Ilkhanate from 8 November 1263.

History
After returning from his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Hulegu Khan decided to host a great feast, inviting all of the vassals of the Ilkhanate to the feast. On 8 November 1263 he began preparations for the feast, and on 28 November he hired a troop of fire-eaters to entertain his guests although some of his hair curled away from the fire. He also hired a ministrel on the same day. On 4 December he spent lavishly on food, buying venison, boar and duck, spices, wine, and ale, honey for the desserts, cheeses, and a swan or peacock. On 8 December he invited 21 of his vassals to the feast, but High Chief al-Muwahhid Taqi al-Din of Edessa said that he refused to set foot in the same castle as Hulegu Khan, rudely declining. On 18 December the guests arrived, and Hulegu Khan greeted all of them, welcoming them to his feast. On 1 January 1264, the festival continued, and Chief Yesugei of Al Jazira refused more wine, an insulting gesture that meant that he did not appreciate Hulegu's hospitality. On 12 January he made sure that the most beautiful woman, Chieftess Yesugun of Dwin, would be his dinner partner. Hulegu showed her the castle, and "especially his bedchambers", having a sexual affair with her behind Chief Okhotur of Dwin's back. On 12 January the fire eaters performed, and the people were very excited. That same day, the ministrels made the ladies weep and the lords laugh. That night, Chief Bugidai of al-Mafraq and Hulegu Khan had a long conversation. The other guests went to sleep, but Bugidai and Hulegu's conversation went on until the wee hours, and they became great friends. On 1 February 1264, the feast ended, and five days later the 1264 Ilkhanate Grand Tournament began.